CHILDREN IN POVERTY PERSISTENT WV PROBLEM - Calhoun Ranks High In Poverty Rate

(03/02/2013)

While West Virginia has reduced the number of seniors living in poverty, child poverty is still a growing problem, according to a report released Tuesday from the West Virginia Center on Budget and Policy and the West Virginia Healthy Kids and Families Coalition.

Poverty is linked to problems like rates of divorce, obesity, addiction, teen pregnancy and crime.

The state's senior poverty rate fell from 39.2 percent in 1969 to just more than 10 percent today.

West Virginia's child poverty rate has grown from 19.1 percent in 1969 to more than 23 percent today, according to the report, "Child Poverty in West Virginia: A Growing and Persistent Problem."

The latest Kids Count report says that 36% of Calhoun children are living in poverty (WV average about 25%), a worsening statistic, Calhoun being ranked 52nd of 55 counties.